Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein day tour from Zurich: Private guide

Medieval towns and Europe's largest waterfall fit into one morning and afternoon.

A private day tour from Zurich to Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein with a dedicated driver-guide, luxury vehicle, and hotel pickup. The itinerary is tailored to your group's pace, and entry to the waterfalls and the Swiss Watch Makers Museum are included. Children from age 5 are welcome. The tour runs 8.5 hours and concludes with drop-off at your hotel or preferred address.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Switzerland private day tour

• Meet driver-guide at Zurich hotel
• Drive north toward German border
• Visit Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall
• Climb fortress and enjoy leisure time
• Explore IWC Museum in Schaffhausen
• Visit Stein am Rhein village and see frescoes
• Drive back to Zurich and hotel drop-off

The experience

You're picked up at your Zurich hotel and driven north toward the German border in a private Mercedes Benz with your driver-guide. The route takes you straight to Rhine Falls, where you stand on panoramic viewing platforms to feel the roar of Europe's largest waterfall, or board an optional boat to the central rock for an up-close view of the cascade. The choice is yours, and the guide adjusts the time spent here to what your group wants.

From there, you move to Schaffhausen's medieval Old Town, where you can climb the Munot Fortress for views over the preserved architecture and decorated bay windows, then have leisure time and lunch at your own pace. The Swiss Watch Makers Museum is next: 230 masterpieces of engineering and curiosities that trace the history of Switzerland's largest watch manufacturer through multimedia exhibits. Entry is included.

The final stop is Stein am Rhein, a timber-framed village on the Rhine's far bank, famous for the vibrant frescoes painted across the buildings in Rathausplatz. It's the only part of Switzerland accidentally bombed during World War II, mistaken by Allied forces for German territory. After exploring, you relax on the private drive back to Zurich, with drop-off at your hotel or wherever you prefer.

What’s included

• Luxury Mercedes Benz private vehicle.
• professional driver-guide in your choice of language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Zurich.
• entry to Rhine Falls.
• entry to the Swiss Watch Makers Museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Swiss Epic Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Private Tour with Pickup if your hotel is in central Zurich and you'd rather not arrange transport to the meeting point. Choose without Pickup if you prefer to meet the driver-guide at a set location. Both options give you a dedicated guide who tailors the day to your group's pace and interests, so the stops and timing shift based on what you want to see.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I choose whether to take the boat at Rhine Falls, or is it part of the tour?

The boat ride to the central rock is optional. You decide whether to add it. The viewing platforms alone give you the full sight of the waterfall, and your guide adjusts the time based on what your group wants to do.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but your guide will allocate time for you to eat in Schaffhausen at a restaurant of your choice, so the meal fits naturally into the day.

What makes Stein am Rhein worth the stop?

Stein am Rhein is known for its timber-framed houses and the vibrant frescoes covering the buildings around Rathausplatz: a level of painted detail you won't see in other Swiss towns. It sits on the Rhine's far bank and has a distinct medieval character.

Do I need to arrange my own transport, or is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup from your Zurich hotel is included in the Private Tour with Pickup option. The Private Tour without Pickup option means you meet the driver-guide at a designated point. Both options include drop-off at your hotel or preferred address at the end of the day.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 8.5 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen, the Swiss Watch Makers Museum, and Stein am Rhein. The pace is set by your group, so time at each stop can shift based on your interests.